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Bowdish Lake Camping Area
Overview
Bowdish Lake Camping Area offers a quintessential New England outdoor experience tucked away in the northwest corner of Rhode Island. This family-owned destination provides a peaceful retreat centered around the scenic 300-acre Bowdish Lake. The atmosphere here is distinctly rustic and unhurried, emphasizing a connection with nature rather than modern resort glitz. Visitors are greeted by mature trees and a sense of community that has brought families back for generations. It serves as a refreshing escape from the bustle of nearby metropolitan areas, offering a genuine woodland camping environment where the sound of the wind in the pines takes center stage.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in the historic town of Chepachet, RI, the park is immersed in the Glocester countryside. The surroundings are characterized by dense hardwood forests and the rocky terrain typical of the Blackstone Valley region. The campground sits adjacent to the George Washington Management Area, providing an expansive buffer of protected land that enhances the feeling of seclusion. This location is ideal for those who enjoy winding country roads and the charm of small-town New England, with local shops and historic landmarks just a short drive away from the park entrance.
Amenities & Park Features
The park is well-equipped for traditional RVing and camping needs while maintaining its natural charm. Guests have access to a private sandy beach on the lake, which is perfect for swimming and sunning during the summer months. For those looking to explore the water, the park offers several features:
- Boat rentals including canoes and kayaks
- A well-stocked camp store for essentials and treats
- A recreational safari field for group games
- Clean restroom and laundry facilities
While many sites offer hookups, the layout is specifically designed to preserve the privacy and shade provided by the thick forest canopy.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do just minutes from their campsite. The nearby Pulaski Memorial Recreation Area offers additional hiking trails and a dedicated swimming area. Fishing is a primary draw at Bowdish Lake, known for its healthy bass and pickerel populations. Beyond the park, the village of Chepachet is famous for its antique shopping and colonial architecture, making it a delightful afternoon excursion. Travelers can also explore the historic Blackstone River Valley to learn about the region's deep industrial roots and scenic beauty.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for family travelers and couples seeking a traditional, nature-first camping experience. If you prefer the sound of a crackling campfire and the sight of starlit skies over paved pads and neon lights, you will feel right at home here. It is particularly well-suited for paddlers and anglers who want immediate access to the water. While various rig sizes can be accommodated, the park is best enjoyed by those who appreciate a more rugged, authentic landscape that prioritizes the quiet beauty of the Rhode Island outdoors.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Internet
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Frankie “SaltyFrankie”
Camped here for one season and it's absolute trash. Don't waste your time. Other people will tell you different but it's a bunch of older people that drive recklessly on golf carts. Dumpsters are constantly overflowing with garbage everywhere outside of them. Owners could care less about anybody camping there. You can tell they're just there for the money. Dump stations were a horrific problem because they weren't open for the last year and a half. After enough people complain they finally open them. (Look up why the DEM fined the campground) Lastly to mention, The power goes out constant over the summer and no one is ever in the office to help with anything. Sometimes power off for days and you can get stuck with the gates down. There's no other way to get in the campground when gates are down. I definitely do not recommend this campground. Stay far away.
Erika Kelly
On August 9th we came looking for a seasonal site. We were given a list of seasonal sites that would be available for the 2026 season. We picked 2 sites in case the one we really wanted fell through. We went back to the front desk and met the owners wife Carrie. She was very nice this day! Basically said we had to put our deposit down that day and would call us the next day to let us know if the site would be available as they had been having trouble with the current people there letting us know they had bounced several checks and they were waiting on the one to clear from the current season. Charged us for using our card as we didn’t have cash on us but said she wouldn’t hold if we didn’t pay that day! Next day Carrie calls and says we are all set and would have the site we wanted we were so excited! A few weeks later the beginning of sept. We were cleaning off our site that we had given notice for to get this new site at a campground closer to home that was 3x more expensive. Sold all our outdoor equipment and were ready to move the camper. We stopped by to pay the remainder of the season for 2026 and this is where things get hairy. Carrie told us that they had been given a bad review on us (we don’t know anyone there) and they described us as having 5 dogs which is accurate but had only just gotten the 5th dog who was only 8 weeks old. Refused to tell us what the review was other than apparently we jump campgrounds which is not accurate at all. We have been with the last 2 campgrounds for around 3 years. As this is all information she knew when we came to look and knew we would only be bringing 2 dogs at a time. Refused to take our money and told us she would be refunding our deposit as they were no longer allowing us to have our seasonal site anymore. No phone calls, no questions nothing. Never asked for references which we easily could have provided by a least a dozen people from our last campground (which we hardly went to last year). Took 3 weeks to receive our deposit and Carrie grew increasingly rude. Basically blaming her husband for not sending the check when she asked him to. Very poor communication and very poor business. Very disappointed in how things were handled by her! We are quiet and respectful people and get along with just about everyone! Curious to where the bad reviews came from when we don’t know anyone there or why we weren’t given the opportunity to fix or answer to accusations against us that were not true. We obviously realized this was a blessing in disguise but still our kids disappointment was gut wrenching. Curious to know if they send an email to current seasonal letting them know someone is coming in or something because none of what she said made sense at all. Sounds very discriminating if you ask me.
Kim Ramsay
It's a seasonal camping only for RV self-contained units ( under 10 year)
W W
Came here on 6-30-2023 to visit friends. We had our 3 kids in the car with us. We pulled into the entrance to register as a guest and upon arriving we were greeted by a dead sheep sitting in the middle of the road from their petting zoo. Our kids started crying and we turned around. Not sure what’s going on with this place. Before we saw the dead sheep we drove by loads of broken down old trucks. Very consistent with the other reviews……… Odd place!
Gregg Scurka
Ya. Just ok, went to visit my aunt and cousins there a few weeks ago i didnt see anything that really grabbed my attention didnt seem to lively. I mean its summertime expected to see kids in towels all around really didnt see to many people at all. Kinda quiet and not the prettiest camp ground ive been to. Seemed like they cut alot of trees down and they were piled up all over on the sides of the roadways in the campground, they could have been hidden a little better or simply brought to a single location where it wouldnt seem so messy. With me appearance is everything and i wasnt impressed. Cant say much more wasnt the worst place ive been to but far from the best.